Miami basketball second half implosion creates Elite Eight loss to Kansas

For 20 minutes on Sunday, the Miami basketball program was poised to compete for the first Final Four in program history. The Hurricanes played well in the first half and led 35-29 at halftime. After shooting 48.1 percent in the first half, Miami made only six of 28 shots after halftime, The second half was a complete implosion.

After making three of their eight three-point field goal attempts in the first half, Miami missed all 13 shots from beyond the arc in the second half. Miami held Kansas to 41.9 percent in the first half. The Jayhawks shot 59.3 percent in the second half and made five of their nine three-point attempts.

Kansas began the second half with a 19 to five-run and continued the onslaught with dominant runs throughout the second half. The eight turnovers by Miami in the second half exceeded their amount in the first two games combined and their made shots in the final 20 minutes against Kansas.

Kameron McGusty with 18 points and Isaiah Wong with 15 were the only Miami players to score in double figures. No one else for Miami scored more than five points. Miami has thrived this season with balanced scoring. Miami was bereft offensively was in the second half. That doesn’t take away from what this team accomplished.

The Hurricanes finished 26-11, fourth in the ACC after three straight losing seasons, advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament for the first time since 2016 and their appearance in the regional final of the NCAA Tournament was the inaugural in program history. The future is bright in Coral Gables.

All-American Ochai Agbaji led Kansas with 18 points on eight of 12 shooting. Remy Martin who scored nine points and had six rebounds on Sunday was named the Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player. After averaging 19.25 points per game in the NCAA Tournament, McGusty was also named to the all-region team.

Miami loses McGusty, Rodney Miller, Charlie Moore and Sam Waardenburg after this season. Jordan Miller and Isaiah Wong will have decisions to make about returning next season. Jim Larranaga has clearly turned the Miami basketball fortunes around after last season. Miami signed the 17th best class in 2023.